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The incidence of synchronous lung tumors is rare, as reported in various clinical series, ranging from 0.2% to 8%. Most reported cases of synchronous tumors were shown to have the same histologic types of lung cancer. Among possible combinations, squamous cell carcinoma was by far the most common. Primary pulmonary lymphoma (PPL) is very rare in clinics accounting for only 0.5-1% of primary lung tumors. There is no report about synchronous primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma presenting with lung lymphoma. It can be easily misdiagnosed or missed. Although the treatment of PPL and synchronous pulmonary tumors has controversial, surgery with/without postoperative adjuvant radio-chemotherapy are used for most patients in present. We describe a case of synchronous primary lung tumors presenting with lymphoma and adenocarcinoma, in which expression of the cell surface antigens were evaluated immunohistochemically. By taking into consideration of the reported experiences, the author discusses the clinical features, prognostic criteria and therapeutic management of synchronous lung cancer and PPL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serials of Mn doping by substituting Cd sites on Cu2CdSnSe4 are prepared by the melting method and the spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique to form Cu2Cd1-xMnxSnSe4. Our experimental and theoretical studies show that the moderate Mn doping by substituting Cd sites is an effective method to improve the thermoelectric performance of Cu2CdSnSe4. The electrical resistivity is decreased by about a factor of 4 at 723 K after replacing Cd with Mn, but the seebeck coefficient decreases only slightly from 356 to 289 μV/K, resulting in the significant increase of the power factor. Although the thermal conductivity increases with the doping content of Mn, the figure of merit (ZT) is still increased from 0.06 (x = 0) to 0.16 (x = 0.10) at 723 K, by a factor of 2.6. To explore the mechanisms behind the experimental results, we have performed an ab initio study on the Mn doping effect and find that the Fermi level of Cu2CdSnSe4 is shifted downward to the valence band, thus improving the hole concentration and enhancing the electrical conductivity at the low level doping content. Optimizing the synthesis process and scaling Cu2Cd1-xMnxSnSe4 to nanoparticles may further improve the ZT value significantly by improving the electrical conductivity and enhancing the phonon scattering to decrease the thermal conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Blue-shelled eggs are gaining popularity as the consumption demand diversifies in some countries. This study was carried out to investigate the laying performance and egg quality of the blue-shelled egg layers as well as the effects of different housing systems on egg production and quality traits. One thousand pullets from Dongxiang blue-shelled layers were divided into 2 even groups and kept in different housing systems (outdoor vs. cage). Daily laying performance was recorded from 20 to 60 wk of age. External and internal egg quality traits were examined at 26, 34, 42, and 50 wk. Yolk cholesterol concentration and whole egg cholesterol content were measured at 40 wk of age. Average laying rate from 20 to 60 wk for the cage (54.7%) was significantly higher than that of outdoor layers (39.3%). Among all of the egg quality traits, only eggshell color was affected by housing system. Interaction between housing system and layer age was found in egg weight, eggshell color, eggshell ratio, yolk color, and yolk weight. Meanwhile, cholesterol concentration in yolk was 8.64 ± 0.40 mg/g in the outdoor eggs, which was significantly lower than that of eggs from the cage birds (10.32 ± 0.48 mg/g; P < 0.05). Whole egg cholesterol content in the outdoor eggs (125.23 ± 6.32 mg/egg) was also significantly lower than that of eggs from the caged layers (158.01 ± 8.62 mg/egg). The results demonstrated that blue-shelled layers have lower productivity in the outdoor system than in the cage system. Blue-shelled layers have lower egg weight, larger yolk proportion, and lower cholesterol content compared with commercial layers. In a proper marketing system, lower productivity could be balanced by a higher price for the better quality of blue-shelled eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The semen quality factor (SQF) takes into account 3 semen parameters as a means of predicting semen fertilizing ability: semen volume, semen concentration, and the percentage of live and morphologically normal spermatozoa. The objective of this study was to test the suitability of the SQF as an indicator of fertility for geese. Twenty-one ganders were divided into 3 groups based on their individual SQF values, and semen was pooled within each group. A fourth semen group was generated by diluting semen from the highest SQF group with 2 vol of diluent. Pooled semen was inseminated into 30 geese per treatment. Relationships between SQF and fertility were evaluated. Testosterone and estradiol levels in seminal plasma were determined by competitive immunoassays. The SQF values of the 4 diluted semen groups were 19.3, 11.3, 9.5, and 13.1, and the corresponding fertility values, determined by candling, were 83.9, 65.6, 56.8, and 74.3%, respectively. The correlation coefficient between SQF and fertility was 0.985 (P < 0.01), indicating that the SQF can be used as a good indicator of fertility for geese. The SQF values correlated well with the ratio of testosterone to estradiol in seminal plasma (r = 0.48, P < 0.05), which could also be a diagnostic tool for evaluating the reproductive potential of individual ganders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sex-linked dwarf chickens caused by the mutation of the growth hormone receptor gene are characterized by normal growth hormone (GH), very low insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) level in the blood, and reduced growth. It has been demonstrated that the sex-linked dwarfing gene has negative effects on female reproduction. hi the current study, dwarf cocks and their phenotypic normal siblings were used to investigate the effects of dwarf gene on male reproduction. Dwarf cocks grew slower than the normal cocks did, and at 20 wk of age, their BW were 36.4% smaller. However, all parameters for semen quality, including volume, sperm concentration, viability, mobility, pH, and percentage of abnormal sperms, examined at 30 wk of age showed no significant difference between normal and dwarf cocks. The fertility of dwarf cocks was 95.2%, and the normal was 92.4%. The concentrations of GH and IGF-I in serum and seminal plasma were measured with RIA and ELISA, respectively. The serum GH in the dwarf cocks was significantly higher than their normal siblings (P < 0.05), whereas the serum IGF-I in the dwarf cocks was very low. However, the concentration of seminal IGF-I in dwarf cocks was similar to that of their normal siblings, indicating that IGF-I might be produced and acted independently in testis. In conclusion, the deficiency in GH receptor did not affect the male reproduction in dwarf chickens, and the fertility of dwarf cocks could be satisfactory for production when artificial insemination was adopted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Major histocompatibility complex has previously been shown to influence the resistance of chicken to Marek's disease virus (MDV). However, little is known about expression of other genes in the MHC-I and II pathway after MDV infection. This study aimed at investigating 8 immune-related genes in the MHC core region that affects host responses to MDV. Spleens of infected and age-matched uninfected chickens were removed at 4, 7, 14, 21, and 28 d postinfection for gene expression detection using real-time PCR. Different expression patterns of MHC-I and II pathway genes were observed in the spleen. In the MHC-I pathway, the expression of transporter of antigen protein 1 (TAP1), transporter of antigen protein 2 (TAP2), and transporter of antigen protein-binding protein (TAPBP) genes was significantly increased in the spleen of MDV-infected than that of uninfected chickens. It indicated that host antivirtis responses were generated to enhance antigen presentation. However, MHC-II pathway genes showed contrarary trends. Classical MHC-II β chain major gene (BLB2) and nonclassical class II genes [DM a chain gene (IpMA), DM β chain gene-i (DMB1), and DM β chain gene-2 (DMB2)] had consistent lower transcripts in spleens of MDV-infected than that of uninfected chicken's, which reflected that MDV interfered with multiple components of the MHC-II pathway. Overall, expression of most genes in the MHC core region was altered; moreover, the genes in endogenous and exogenous antigen presentation pathways had different expression patterns in the spleen after MDV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tyrosinase (TYR) and melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) genes have been accepted as major genes involved in the plumage pigmentation of chickens. The co-segregation of plumage coloration and sequence polymorphism in TYR and MC1R genes were investigated using an intercross between black and white plumage color types of the Dongxiang blue-shelled chicken. Profiles of plumage color changing and genes expression levels of TYR and MC1R were observed from hatch to 112 d of age using quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR. Intercrossed offspring were classified by phenotypes of plumage colors. The phenotypes of black and amber chicks with genotypes of E̱C̱ exhibited a black feather pattern, whereas white, gray, and buff chicks with genotypes of E̱cc and eecc belonged to the white feather pattern. Although TYR in cooperation with MC1R determined the coloration feather patterns, the different phenotypes did not correspond completely with the genotypes. During the period studied, plumage phenotype changed dramatically, and the buff and gray down were gradually replaced by whiteness feathers. Real-time reverse transcriptionPCR studies showed that 1) expression levels of TYR declined dramatically with age, and expression at hatch was highest (P < 0.01) during the ages studied; 2) expression level of MC1R was higher at 28 d than at younger and older ages; and 3) expression of TYR in chickens carrying E/E and E/e alleles on MC1R loci were higher than those carrying e/e alleles from hatch to 28 d. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toll-like receptors (TLR) are trans-membrane sensors recognizing invading microbes. Toll-like receptors play a central role in initiating immune responses against several pathogens. In this study, we investigated the response of TLR and downstream genes to Marek's disease virus (MDV) infection. Forty 1-d-old chicks were randomly divided into 2 groups, with 20 chicks infected with MDV and 20 chicks mock-infected. Four chickens were euthanized respectively from infected and age-matched noninfected groups at 4, 7, 14, 21. and 28 d postinfection (dpi). Bursas, spleens, and thymuses were removed. The differential expression of TLR genes, including TLR3, TLR5, TLR7, TLR15, and TLR21, and downstream genes of TLR 7, including MyD88, TRAF3, TRAF6, IFNA, IFNB, and IL6, in lymphoid tissues of MDV-infected and noninfected chickens was determined by real-time PCR. The results showed that the change of TLR genes was different in 3 lymphoid tissues. Expression of TLR7 and MyD88 was upregulated at 14 dpi and downregulated at 28 dpi in MDV-infected compared with noninfected spleens. The TRAF6 and IFNB were upregulated, and TRAF3, IFNA, and IL6 genes showed increasing trends in MDVinfected compared with noninfected spleens at 14 dpi. The expression of TLR3 and TLR 15 genes was downregulated in MDV-infected compared with noninfected spleens at 28 dpi. The results indicated that TLR7 and its downstream genes were a response to MDV infection at 14 dpi. However, the function of TLR was impaired when the infection entered the tumor transformation phase. In bursas, TLR3 and TLR 15 genes were upregulated at 7 and 4 dpi, respectively. It indicated that TLR3 and TLR 15 might be involved in response to MDV infection in bursa at early phases. However, no differential expression of TLR genes was observed between MDV-infected and noninfected thymuses, which indicated that the thymus had little response to MDV infection mediated by TLR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some members of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) family play important roles in the regulation of lipoprotein metabolism and egg quality traits. Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 2 (LRP2) gene belongs to the LDLR super family, and widely expresses in many tissues. This work identified and genotyped 1 single-nucleotide polymorphism. (SNP), T14347C, at 3'-UTR of the LRP2 using matrixassisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), and analyzed the effects of the SNP (T14347C) on egg-quality traits in 544 dwarf hens from 44 sire families. Frequencies of this SNP in the studied population did not agree with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P < 0.0001). Egg weight, albumen weight, albumen height, and albumen ratio of the TT genotype were significantly higher than those of the CC genotype (P < 0.05), whereas eggshell ratio of the TT genotype was significantly lower than that of the CC genotype (P < 0.05). The relative expression level of the LRP~2 gene in the magnum was determined by real-time quantitative PCR. The gene expression of genotype CC individuals was significantly higher than that of TT and CT birds (P < 0.05). By combining both genetic effects and expression analyses results, we propose that the LRP2 gene is a good candidate gene, exhibiting a key role in albumen formation processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mn-based high voltage cathodes, e.g. , spinel LiMn 2 O 4 , are considered among the most promising materials for cost-effective, next generation energy storage. When paired with a Li metal anode, secondary batteries based on Li||LiMn 2 O 4 in principle offer a straightforward, scalable approach for achieving cost-effective and high energy density storage demanded in applications. In practice, however, such batteries fail to live up to their promise. Rapid capacity fading caused by irreversible Mn dissolution at the cathode coupled with mossy/dendritic Li deposition at the anode limit their useful life. In this study, we report on the design of electrolytes based on a binary blend of two widely available salts, LiNO 3 and LiTFSI, in ethylene carbonate (EC), which simultaneously overcome failure modes at both the cathode and anode of Li||LiMn 2 O 4 batteries. The electrolyte design is motivated by a recent finding that compared with their linear counterparts ( e.g. , dimethyl carbonate), cyclic carbonates like EC dissolve considerably larger amount of LiNO 3 , which markedly improves anode reversibility. On the other hand, it is known that nonsolvolytic fluorine-containing Li salts like LiTFSI, lowers the electrolyte's susceptibility to solvolysis, which generates HF species responsible for Mn leaching at the cathode. In particular, we report instead that fluorine groups in the TFSI salt, promote formation of a favorable, fluorine-rich interphase on the Li metal anode. Electrochemical measurements show that the electrolytes enable remarkably improved charge-discharge cycling stability (>1000 charge-discharge cycles) of Li||LiMn 2 O 4 batteries. In-depth atomic-resolution electron microscopy and X-ray/synchrotron diffraction experiments reveal the fundamental source of the improvements. The measurements show that crystallographic degradation of Mn-based cathodes ( e.g. , surface Mn leaching and bulk defect generation) upon cycling in conventional electrolytes is dramatically lowered in the LiNO 3 + LiTFSI/EC electrolyte system. It is shown further that the reduction of Mn dissolution not only improves the cathode stability but improves the reversibility of the Li metal anode via a unique re-deposition mechanism in which Li and Mn co-deposit on the anode. Taken together, our findings show that the LiNO 3 + LiTFSI/EC electrolyte system holds promise for accelerating progress towards practical Li||LiMn 2 O 4 batteries because it stabilizes the dynamic interfaces required for long-term stability at both the Li anode and the LiMn 2 O 4 cathode., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Endogenous retroviruses are regarded as ideal genetic markers for evolutionary analyses. Birds were some of the initial vertebrates found to contain endogenous retroviruses. However, few studies have investigated the presence and distribution of endogenous retroviruses in goose. In this study, we detected the avian sarcoma and leukosis virus gag gene in the genomic DNA of 8 Chinese native breeds using polymerase chain reaction method. The results indicated that a 1.2-kb avian sarcoma and leukosis virus gag sequence was integrated into all 8 goose breeds. The mean genetic pairwise distance was 0.918% among the investigated geese. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating the presence of the endogenous retroviruses in the domestic goose genome. The genetic structure should be further examined in the domestic goose.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the role of myofiber characteristics and the thickness of 2 major muscle membranes, perimysium and endomysium, in determining the breast meat tenderness of chickens. Birds from 2 breeds (White Leghorn and a line of broiler) were chosen. Chicks were sexed and wing-banded at hatch and were grown in separate cages in a single house. Sixty broilers and 60 White Leghorns were harvested at 6 wk of age, respectively, whereas another 60 White Leghorns were slaughtered at 18 wk of age. An equal number of males and females was maintained for each group. Body weight, breast muscle weight, pH, drip loss, cooking loss, Warner-Bratzler shear force value (SFV), total energy of shear force, fiber diameter, sarcomere length, myofiber density, and the thickness of endomysium and perimysium of the breast were determined for each bird. At 6 wk of age, histological examination indicated that the size of myofiber and thickness of endomysium and perimysium of broilers were larger than that those of White Leghorns (P < 0.01), whereas the SFV, drip loss, and cooking loss of broilers were smaller (P < 0.01). A comparison between the White Leghorns at 18 wk and the broilers at 6 wk, which were at similar BW but different ages, showed that the breast muscle weight of broilers was larger (P < 0.01) than that of White Leghorns. For breast muscle, the endomysium of broilers at 6 wk was thicker than that of White Leghorns at 18 wk (P < 0.01), whereas the perimysium was thinner (P < 0.01). The SFV, drip loss, and the cooking loss of broilers were smaller than those of White Leghorns at similar BW (P < 0.01). Meat tenderness was negatively correlated with myofiber density (-0.27) and the thickness of endomysium (-0.29) and positively correlated with the thickness of perimysium (0.20). It is suggested that muscle membrane should be considered in evaluating meat tenderness of the chicken.

Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 8 (LRP8), a member of the low-density lipoprotein receptor gene family with a role in clusterin processing, was investigated as a candidate gene for egg quality-related traits. One SNP from C to T at position 1623 of the open reading frame of LRP8 was identified and genotyped by a high-throughput genotyping method, matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry in 747 egg-type dwarf layers from 44 sire families. There were no significant differences among genotypes for any interior egg traits measured, except for yolk color, in which color was deeper for the TT genotype than CC or CT (P < 0.05). For shell traits, strength and thickness were greater for TT than CC (P < 0.05), with CT intermediate and not different from either. Shape index was lower for CT than either TT or CC, which did not differ, whereas for shell color, CT was intermediate to the homozygotes, which differed (CC > TT). The present results indicated that LRP8, as a new member of eggshell matrix protein, may be a candidate gene associated with eggshell traits.